Fiber assisted irradiation system and method for biostimulation

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a system and method for improved biostimulative effect through the use of single mode fibers to transport coherent light to a treatment site. Single mode fibers or groups/bundles of single mode waveguides for the relevant irradiation wavelength are used for radiation transport. Selective leakage of the radiation from this delivery system is achieved at the desired application sites of the biostimulation by suitable means, one being evanescent wave decouplers. The result is a low intensity exposure of coherent light to tissue or organic material that is more effective than conventional biostimulative procedures. Delivery systems based on such waveguides can cover large areas due to the low transmission losses of the waveguide. The waveguide can be inserted into hydrocultures or earth to provide radiation and thus biostimulation of seeds and cuttings in situ. Coherent radiation can also improve the health, healing and fertility of animals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the invention

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of biostimulationdevices and in particular a device and method to increase the efficiencyof the biostimulative effect.

[0003] 2. Invention Disclosure Statement

[0004] Biostimulation is the exposure of organic tissue such as plant,animals, bacteria or specific cells to low levels of radiation. Onceexposed these tissues exhibit increased levels of biological activity.Plant growth is accelerated following the irradiation of seeds orcuttings. Decreases in the accumulation of harmful heavy metals andincreases in beneficial elements such as Selenium have been reported.Increased fertility can occur in some animals treated withbiostimulation. The effects reported are strongly dependent on theradiation dosage applied as well as the range of the wavelength used.Devices and methods for the most effective use of application of thebiostimulation have generally been ignored.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,612,604 describes an invention that utilizespolarized light for biostimulation purposes. This patent describes adevice that creates a large area of polarized light for biostimulativetreatment. Exposure to polarized light has some biostimulative effectand the invention has the ability to affect a large area. The inventiondoes not reveal the use of coherent light and the light used containsmany modes.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,686,986 describes a method and apparatus forpromoting healing of lesions through irradiation with polarized light.Exposure of the lesion to polarized light leads to some increase in therate of healing. In the described invention only noncoherent light inwavelengths greater than 300 nm is employed.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,504 describes a device for biostimulation.The device utilizes an array of substantially monochromatic radiationsources; preferably laser diodes, having a plurality of wavelengths totreat an area of tissue. The invention does not reveal an applicationfor coherent light at treatment sites or the benefits of using acoherent light source.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,021,452 describes a process for acceleratingwound healing by exposure to laser light of wavelengths between 600 nmand 1000 nm combined with the application of ascorbic acid. Exposure ofcells to these wavelengths of light increases the intake of ascorbicacid into the cell. Ascorbic acid increases cross-linking in mayintracellular protein structures which leads to increased healing. Thedescribed invention does not reveal how to increase the efficiency ofeach wavelength of light used or how to increase the efficacy of thebiostimulative effect through the use of coherent light.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,433 describes a device that uses a physicallynarrow beam of light transported by a light guide to treat skin woundssuch as psoriasis or other lesions of the skin. This invention utilizesa high intensity source creating an illumination of at least 1 mW percm². The light source used here is an arc lamp, which again is anon-coherent source of light.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,616,140 describes an invention that uses laserdiodes to accelerate wound healing. These diodes are incorporated intobandages or various pieces of clothing such that a constant level of lowpower beam energy can be applied to the treatment areas. The effect ofthis constant exposure to low level energy is the acceleration of thehealing process. This patent does not reveal the application oradvantages of using coherent light and does not reveal an application ofsingle or limited mode fibers. The invention also requires multiplediodes to cover most areas and does not reveal how to treat a large areawith just a single light source.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,752 describes a device that controls theamount of radiation exposure, which can occur during biostimulativetherapy. The radiation source is contained within a wand form. Thisallows the user to physically control the application of the radiationsource. This physical control requires that the user move the wand fromlocation to location for each desired treatment site. This patent doesnot reveal how to affect more than a single site simultaneously.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,084,242 describes an invention that utilizeselectromagnetic radiation of about 1800-2040 nm to stimulate the humanimmune system. Specifically, the described invention uses a wavelengthof 1917 nm at a pulse rate of about 7.5 Hz to treat various cancers.Exposure to infrared radiation is shown to stimulate a body's own immunesystem to attack the cancerous cells. The described invention uses lightthat is not coherent radiation as the phrase is used with respect tolaser technology but is derived from a laser source via circuitry. Theinvention does not describe the benefits of using coherent light toenhance the biostimulative effect.

[0013] It would be useful to have a method for biostimulation thatefficiently uses substantially coherent light, which is versatile in itsbroad area application, as well as narrow exposure to any organictissue. More specifically, a useful application of the biostimulativeeffect would be one that is applicable to large areas on the human bodyas well as large areas like farmland. It would be further useful if thebiostimulation effect could be performed to effect tissue or organicmatter below the surface of the skin or land. The current inventiondescribes highly effective and efficient radiation delivery means andtreatment modalities characterized in particular by their maintaining ahigh degree of coherence of the laser sources used.

OBJECTIVES AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device forimproved biostimulative effect utilizing coherent light.

[0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide a systemthat transmits the light emitted from a coherent light source viaoligomode fibers.

[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to provide abiostimulative device that uses coherent light, transported via singlemode fibers that can utilize evanescent wave extraction as a means toexpose treatment areas to the light.

[0017] Briefly stated, the present invention provides a system andmethod for improved biostimulative effect through the use of single modefibers to transport coherent light to a treatment site. Single modefibers or groups/bundles of single mode waveguides for the relevantirradiation wavelength are used for radiation transport. Selectiveleakage of the radiation from this delivery system is achieved at thedesired application sites of the biostimulation by suitable means, onebeing evanescent wave decouplers. The result is a low intensity exposureof coherent light to tissue or organic material that is more effectivethan conventional biostimulative procedures. Delivery systems based onsuch waveguides can cover large areas due to the low transmission lossesof the waveguide. The waveguide can be inserted into hydrocultures orearth to provide radiation and thus biostimulation of seeds and cuttingsin situ. Coherent radiation can also improve the health, healing andfertility of animals.

[0018] The above, and other objects, features and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent from the following descriptionread in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, (in which likereference numbers in different drawings designate the same elements.)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0019]FIG. 1 illustrates a single mode waveguide used to treat a wound

[0020]FIG. 2 illustrates a collection of single waveguides having acommon light source, positioned in an agricultural filed.

[0021]FIG. 3a illustrates a single waveguide continuously recessed in afloor.

[0022]FIG. 3b depicts a lateral cross-section of FIG. 3a.

[0023]FIG. 4 illustrates a bundle of single mode waveguides, branchingoff to provide targeted biostimulation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Biostimulation can be performed in many ways on a number oforganic tissues. Generally, a light source is filtered such that acertain wavelength or range of wavelengths is transmitted. Tissue isthen exposed to the filtered light. It has been shown thatbiostimulation is particularly effective in dark environments. Forexample, the irradiation of certain bacteria and other organisms in thesoil can be achieved in the vicinity of roots to promote growth.

[0025] It is possible by biostimulation to increase the effects ofcertain hormones or other bioactive elements and thereby lower thedosages required. The irradiation system and approach of the presentinvention can control the administration of desirable elements bycontrolling the timing sequence between the injection of certainbioactive elements and delivery of the irradiation stimulation.

[0026] It has been found that coherent (laser) radiation is moreeffective in biostimulation than equivalent radiation dosage obtainedfrom an incoherent but monochromatic source, such as a lamp withsuitable filters. While the precise reasons for the effect is not wellunderstood, its implications have been neglected by today'sbiostimulation system designs and methods. Virtually all irradiation ofseedling or cuttings has been carried out with free beam systems on thesamples prior to being planted. In the biostimulation of wounds or othersites in humans or animals either free beam irradiation or largediameter light guides have typically been used.

[0027] It is felt that at least a part of the shortcomings of thebiostimulation approach and some inconsistencies in the reported effectscan be explained by the general need for sophisticated and devotedattention to the delivery system. In particular, no attention has beenpaid so far to the benefits of maintaining coherence in the transmissionsystem or to the effectiveness of the whole biostimulation process interms of its economics, ease of use and consistency.

[0028] The individual waveguides of the present invention typically havecore diameters of several micrometers. The exact dimensions will dependon the wavelength chosen for the application. Radiation from Argon (Ar)lasers, Helium-Neon (HeNe) lasers at 630 nm and similar wavelength diodelasers has proven useful. The cladding on these waveguides serves toprotect the core fiber and enhance performance. The use of low modefibers permits radiation waves to travel great lengths through thefibers and allows radiation sources to be kept significant distancesfrom the biostimulation sites. While fully coherent radiation appearsideal for biostimulation, biostimulation effects can also be achievedwith somewhat less perfect sources. Therefore, less than perfecttransmission and radiation delivery means should be considered withinthe scope of the present invention. It is possible to use fiber opticsor waveguides and sources with a limited number of modes in the system,sometimes called oligomode, and still achieve good biostimulationresults. This can help to achieve the required irradiation levels ofseveral Watts per square meter for 60 second durations and the 2 to 3irradiation cycles typically required.

[0029] Although evanescent wave decouplers are the preferred method toleak radiation from the optical fibers of this invention, othertechniques known to those skilled in the art are also incorporatedherein. The include, but are not limited to gratings, reflective layers,and modifications of the core or cladding by laser ablation, chemicaletching, ion implantation, and addition of chemical dopants.

[0030] The present invention is further illustrated by the followingexamples, but is not limited thereby.

EXAMPLE 1

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, a length of single mode fiber 102 is used totreat a large area of lesions 104. Fiber 102 is laid across area oflesions 104 in a serpentine fashion. Single mode fiber 102 is attachedto suitable light source 106 for wound healing. At suitable intervalsfor a desired treatment evanescent wave decouplers 108 are positioned.The fiber can be laid on the wound and covered with dressing 110. Thisallows for a constant low-level biostimulation that the patient can takewith him, instead of large doses of treatment at longer or irregularintervals.

EXAMPLE 2

[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, a large length of single mode fiber opticwaveguide 202 has evanescent wave decouplers 208 placed along its lengthat a desired seeding interval laid into the ground 204 along with seeds206 at planting. At each seeding interval a corresponding evanescentwave decoupler 208 is positioned to allow biostimulation of adjacentseeds. Light source 210 transmits coherent light through waveguide 202.Light source 210 may be intermittently controlled by timer mechanism 212or operated at constant level.

EXAMPLE 3

[0033] Referring to FIG. 3a, a long length of single mode fiber opticwaveguide 302 with a series of evanescent wave decouplers 304 is laidout on or incorporated into floor 306 of a barn or other live animalstorage facility. At timed intervals, coherent light source 308, whichis connected to fiber 302, is turned on and animals 310 are exposed tothe radiation. This will increase the fertility of the animals as wellas accelerate their growth. FIG. 3b depicts a cross section of waveguide302 incorporated into floor 306. The waveguides 302 with evanescentdecouplers 304 are placed in small channels 310 in the surface of floor306. Windows 312 may be used to cover channels 310 to protect waveguides302 therein.

EXAMPLE 4

[0034] Referring to FIG. 4, large bundle 402 of single mode fibers 404is brought across a field 406. At desired intervals individual fibers408 are directed out from bundle 402 and placed along with seedling 410into soil 412. Coherent light source 414 attached to bundle 402transmits coherent light through fibers 404. Evanescent decouplers leakradiation from fibers 404 to the nearby seedlings and soil. Bycontrolling light source 414 with timer 416 seedlings 410 can beintermittently or constantly exposed to the biostimulating radiation.

[0035] Having described preferred embodiments of the invention withreference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to the precise embodiments, and that variouschanges and modifications may be effected therein by skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as definedin the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for biostimulation comprising at leastone coherent light source of a suitable wavelength coupled to at leastone fiber optic delivery means of low mode transmission at saidwavelength and having at least one means to selectively leak irradiationfrom said fiber so that biological tissue and organisms are caused to bestimulated.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the means to selectivelyleak radiation is selected from the group consisting of evanescent wavedecouplers, optical gratings, reflective layers, and modifications ofsaid fiber optic delivery means by laser ablation, chemical etching, ionimplantation, and addition of chemical dopants.
 3. The method of claim 1wherein said fiber optic delivery means is a cladded waveguide.
 4. Amethod of biostimulation of organic tissue comprising the steps of: a)choosing a low mode transmission fiber having at least one means toselectively leak radiation; b) placing said low mode transmission fiberin close proximity to said organic tissue at desired treatment sites,and wherein said means to selectively leak radiation are positioned atsaid desired treatment sites; and c) irradiating said desired treatmentsites using a coherent light source.
 5. The method of claim 4 whereinsaid low mode transmission fiber is an oligomode transmission fiber. 6.The method of claim 4 wherein said low mode transmission fiber is asingle mode transmission fiber.
 7. The method of claim 4 wherein saidlow mode transmission fiber is in the form of a cladded waveguide. 8.The method of claim 4 wherein the means to selectively leak radiation isan evanescent wave decoupler
 9. The method of claim 4 wherein said lightsource is continuous.
 10. The method of claim 4 wherein said lightsource is intermittent and controlled by a timer mechanism.
 11. Themethod of claim 4 wherein said biostimulation of organic tissue is forenhanced healing of a large wound, said low mode transmission fiber is asingle mode fiber, and wherein said steps comprising said method aremore specifically: a) selecting said single mode fiber for a chosenwavelength for biostimulation; b) placing a length of said single modefiber on said wound prior to covering said wound and said fiber with adressing; and c) transmitting light from a coherent light source throughsaid single mode fiber to deliver biostimulating radiation to saidwound.
 12. The method of claim 4 wherein said biostimulation of organictissue is for enhancing seed germination and growth, said low modetransmission fiber is a single mode fiber, and wherein said stepscomprising said method are more specifically: a) selecting said singlemode fiber capable of transmitting a chosen wavelength forbiostimulation; b) placing means to selectively leak radiation from saidsingle mode fiber at a desired planting interval along said fiber; c)placing a length of said single mode fiber along side seeds below gradeduring planting; d) transmitting coherent light from said light sourcethrough said single mode fiber to deliver biostimulating radiation tosaid seeds.
 13. The method of claim 4 wherein said biostimulation oforganic tissue is for enhancing animal fertility and growth, said lowmode transmission fiber is a single mode fiber, and wherein said stepscomprising said method are more specifically: a) selecting said singlemode fiber capable of transmitting a chosen wavelength forbiostimulation; b) placing means to selectively leak radiation from saidsingle mode fiber at desired intervals along said fiber; c) placing alength of said single mode fiber in association with the floor of ananimal storage facility; d) transmitting coherent light from saidcoherent light source through said single mode fiber to deliverbiostimulating radiation to animals in said animal storage facility. 14.The method of claim 4 wherein said biostimulation of organic tissue isfor enhancing growth of seedlings, said low mode transmission fiber is asingle mode fiber, and wherein said steps comprising said method aremore specifically: a) assembling a bundle of said single mode fibers ofa length sufficient to traverse a planting area; b) locating said bundleof single mode fibers across said planting area, c) directing individualsingle mode fibers out of said bundle at desired planting intervals,said individual fibers having a means to selectively leak radiation fromsaid individual single mode fibers; d) placing said individual fiberalong with a seedling into the soil, and e) transmitting coherent lightfrom a light source through said single mode fibers to deliverbiostimulating radiation to said seedlings.